Pueblog USa

Sunday, April 22, 2007

The Face of Hunger in Southern Colorado

The new face of hunger in Southern Colorado could be the family down the street, the single mom who just moved in next door, or even you and I.  Over 40% of those people receiving emergency food assistance are working families, underemployment causes many people to make the decision whether to pay rent or buy groceries for their family. New York, L.A., Chicago? No, these numbers reflect Southern Colorado. 

According to U.S. Census 2000 data, the total housholds below 100% of poverty in Pueblo County is 15% of the population. These are people of all ages and race who make the difficult decision of whether to pay monthly bills or buy groceries. Our Seniors who so bravely served our country in forgotten wars and conflicts, the young family attempting to create a foundation to build their lives and the children on whom the future of our communities rest on are all represented in this 15%. What do we as citizens of Pueblo owe our veterans, young families and the children of our wonderful city? How do we do it? Where do we do it? What is the “IT” we do?
The city of Pueblo is blessed with many non-profit organizations, all with strong people, that can each make a difference in their own way. One way that has proven to be very effective is to create a stretegic partnership with organizations that have already created a network of food distribution. Establish a food distribution program through your own organization and source the food from an organization such as Care and Share of Colorado, a partner of America’s Second Harvest. The cost to your own organizational budget can be as low as $0.00 for the food and only a bit of the good ole’ volunteerism Pueblo is known for.  Give it some thought…...give it a chance.